Can Giants’ Crawford go from career year to better year?

1of3Brandon Crawford, 35 inside the batting cage during workouts at San Francisco Giants spring training as they prepare for the 2016 season, at Scottsdale Stadium on Friday February 26, 2016 in Scottsdale, Arizona.Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

2of3Brandon Crawford, 35 during media photo day for the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium on Sunday February 28, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona.Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

3of3This is a 2016 photo of Brandon Crawford of the San Francisco Giants baseball team. This image reflects the 2016 active roster as of Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016 when this image was taken. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)Photo: Morry Gash, AP

Better than a career year? Better than a dream season? Crawford’s unwillingness to accept the status quo and determination to keep improving probably are what got him to the point he reached in 2015, when he emerged as baseball’s best overall shortstop as shown with his range, arm and bat.

It was the first year in the Bronx without Derek Jeter, and Troy Tulowitzki limped from Denver to Toronto. Addison Russell flashed brilliant glove work after the Cubs moved him to shortstop in August, and the magical Andrelton Simmons defended a lot better than he hit, winning him a ticket from Atlanta to Anaheim.

Crawford’s overall game stood alone, and he swears his goals don’t include more awards and All-Star assignments. Just improvement across the board. Asked for specifics, he noted he could have a higher batting average (it was .256) and fewer errors (13) and strikeouts (119).

Let it be known that Crawford improved in those three areas last year, adding 10 points to his average and cutting down on errors by eight and strikeouts by 10. In fact, he collected career highs in hits (130), doubles (33), homers (21), RBIs (84), slugging percentage (.462) and OPS (.782). But as he said, it’s about trending upward.

“There are areas I definitely need to improve on,” Crawford said, “and I’ve felt that every year in the big leagues. If I can get better, why wouldn’t I want to do that?”

Crawford is easing into spring training, the second straight year he opened camp with shoulder tendinitis and spent his first few games as a designated hitter. He expects to debut defensively Wednesday or Thursday and anticipates opening the season at full strength.

With plenty more to prove.

“Performance isn’t gauged just on statistics,” infield coach Ron Wotus said. “There are so many nuances to playing shortstop — positioning, holding runners, pickoff plays, anything he can do to help the team win — and it’s a great sign after a year like Brandon had to come in and say, ‘I want to improve in all areas.’

“The thing about Craw, from the day he got here, he has always had that attitude, and he’s improved every year. You can’t judge it solely on errors. He can make 17 errors this year, and you can say, ‘Well, he didn’t have as good a year.’ Well, that might be a better year with all the things he has to deal with at the position.”

In spring training last year, hitting coach Hensley Meulens told Crawford he could become an All-Star, hit 20-plus homers and hit .300. Crawford did two of three.

“I still believe he could hit .300,” said Meulens, noting that Crawford played hurt part of the season, with oblique and calf injuries affecting his stroke.

Crawford, who bats left-handed, would need to better his numbers against right-handed pitchers. He dramatically improved against lefties after his .199 average in 2013. The past two years, he hit .291 off lefties. But against righties in those two seasons, he hit .235.

“He’s got a high ceiling,” Meulens said. “I kind of agree with him he could do better. It’s realistic. He’s a driven guy. He’s almost as close as you can get to being a perfectionist. Every year from 2011, he’s gotten better. Why stop now?”

Crawford won the Gold Glove by finishing ahead of two other finalists, Simmons and Miami’s Adeiny Hechavarria. Votes by managers and coaches accounted for 75 percent of the selection, and the SABR Defensive Index metric determined the rest.

Infielders Brandon Crawford, 35 (left) and Joe Panik, 12 take a break during the San Francisco Giants spring training workouts at Scottsdale Stadium on Wed. February 24, 2016, in Scottsdale, Arizona

Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle

According to the SDI, which factors range, arm, sure-handedness and double plays, Crawford “saved” 15.4 runs compared with 12.9 for Simmons and 11.5 for Hechavarria. According to other metrics, not at all definitive when judging defense, Simmons was superior.

Now he and Tulowitzki are in the American League, perhaps lessening the National League’s Gold Glove competition and making it more possible for Crawford to fill his trophy case with more of them.

“Do I recognize Simmons and Tulowitzki are good defenders and not in the league? Sure,” Crawford said. “But I don’t stack myself up against other people. I don’t make a top 10 list like they do on MLB Network. None of this is automatic. You still have to go out and play and put up good years.

“Awards are never really my goal. I want to improve as a player, and if I happen to get one at the end of the year, great.”

The Giants had enough faith in Crawford maintaining his high level that they gave him a six-year, $75 million extension in November. He turned 29 in January, and for someone who grew up in Pleasanton a Giants fan, there’s no indication of complacence.

“If you have the mind-set of staying stagnant or staying where you are, you’re going to be passed. He’s always been a guy pushing to improve,” said Buster Posey, recalling playing against Crawford in the 2006 Cape Cod League. “He’s obviously accomplished what he has because he’s never satisfied.”

John Shea is the San Francisco Chronicle's national baseball writer and columnist. He is in his 33rd year covering baseball, including 28 in the Bay Area. He wrote three baseball books, including Rickey Henderson's biography ("Confessions of a Thief") and "Magic by the Bay," an account of the 1989 World Series.